1. Response to Changes: A Tale of Two Rural Towns
Kausar Hj Ali, Abdul Ghapar Othman, Hassim Mat
Universiti Sains Malaysia
RRPG5 International Conference
26-28 August 2014
At INFRA, Bangi

2. INTRODUCTION
Changing roles of small towns
Issues and challenges of small towns
- poverty, unemployment
- dwindling rural population
- development pressure

3. FUNCTIONS OF SMALL TOWNS
Market for agricultural produce
Center for production and distribution of goods and services
Center for non-farm activities and employment
Attraction for rural migration

4. INFLUENCING FACTORS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Accessibility
Rural productivity
Administrative and institutional structures
Natural resource base
Population background
Infrastructure available
TO BE RESILIENT:
Modern productive infrastructure
Skilled, innovative and entrepreneurial workforce
Diversified economic base
Strategically located close to urban centers
Collaborative relationships between private and public institutions
OBJECTIVE
Adaptability of two rural towns with different growth patterns

5. Location of Tanjung Piandang and Tanjung Dawai

6. Background of Tanjung Piandang and Tanjung Dawai
Population
5000
2000
Ethnicity
54% Malay
45% Chinese
75% Malay
23% Chinese
Education
45% Primary
45% Secondary
3% Tertiary
43% Primary
32% Secondary
1% Tertiary

7. Background of Tanjung Piandang and Tanjung Dawai
Income:
Earning <RM1000
57% of HH
70% of HH
Commercial
160 units
100 units
Industry
44 units
650 workers
70% fishery related
12 units
96 workers
100% fishery related

8. DEVELOPMENT PATTERN Tg Piandang New housing development
Influenced by development in nearby larger towns (source of employment and market center for fishery products)
Development pressure on surrounding agricultural land
Fishery industry development – export oriented
Tg Dawai
Housing for resettlement of existing villages
Almost isolated from other urban centers
Tourism as a source of income
Fishery industry development – novelty marine products

9. THREE INFLUENCING FACTORS
Accessibility
by the highway vs. dead-end loop
2) Community background
education
ethnicity
mode of operation
3) Locality Advantage
image and branding
local resources

10. Conclusion The challenge for small town development:
Maintain small town character
Improve the economic well-being
Input from community

11. Thank You